‘Ski Your Age’ proves valuable in reversing post-holiday slump

Margit Andersson, 100, second from right, is joined at “Ski Your Age” by Megan Spurkland, left, Ole Andersson and Atz Kilcher.-Photo provided

Some people may have awakened Dec. 26 feeling drained of energy and sluggish from too much holiday eating. Not Margit Andersson.

The 100-year-old, with the help of her son, Ole, strapped on a set of skis and joined in the fun at “Ski Your Age,” an annual event held at Lookout Mountain Recreation Area.

“She got on the skis and slid one half meter,” said Ole Andersson of his mother’s entrance into the Ski Your Age Century Club, with the requirement that skiers complete 100 kilometers minus their age. “I wanted her to do it last year, but she as only 99, and I figured she’d have to go too far.”

No stranger to winter sports, Margit Andersson grew up in Norway, on the eastern side of the Oslo fjord. Her grandparents had a farm near Lillehammer, site of the 1994 winter Olympics, where Anderson frequently visited.

“She used to ski a lot when she was growing up and when she lived in Norway,” said Andersson of his mother’s experience as a skier. “We asked her how far she’d go and she didn’t exactly know, but said she’d go for the whole day.”

Andersson’s mother recalled that Christmas through Easter was the big ski season in her homeland, with Easter being the highlight, “when everyone tore out of the cities and skied,” he said.

In 1950, Margit Andersson came to the United States. Last March, family and friends gathered at the Homer Senior Center to celebrate her 100th birthday.

“She had a spirit of adventure to try new things,” said her son, Lars, at the birthday party.

As one of eight skiers this year to join the Century Club, that spirit of adventure is something Margit Andersson has retained.

A total 75 area residents turned out for “Ski Your Age,” logging a total 1,239 kilometers, the equivalent of 769 miles, 1546.9 yards, according to Jan Spurkland, who, along with wife, Megan, organized the event.

“It was pretty fabulous,” said Jan Spurkland. “The snow was really good. There wasn’t a lot of it, of course, but the skiing was great. It was almost a perfect day.”

The Spurklands began the event as a fundraiser for the Homer High School Nordic ski team when they were coaching the team. Although no longer coaching, they have continued to organize the event in support of the high school skiers. There is no entry fee, but donations to benefit the team are accepted.

“The best story (this year) was Margit Andersson. She hadn’t had skis on in 30 years, but she put the skis on yesterday,” said Spurkland of the Dec. 26 event. “I talked to her while she was sitting in her car and she was totally together.”

For Ole Andersson, his mother’s achievement means a new goal for the year ahead.

“I haven’t joined the Century Club yet. We missed it this year, but next year I’m kind of obligated now,” he said. “It’s kind of like a forced New Year’s resolution.”